The Leinster thread

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

In Leinster I think you'll agree Sexton has that jersey for 8/9 years if he wants it.

Probably not 8 or 9 years but he's certainly looking like the Leinster 10 until after the 2015 World Cup.

if your playing back up 10 at province it hard to see him making Ireland team

That's true and it's why I believe Munster will be a more attractive option for Keatley. Another way of looking at it is competition for places spurs players on. Look at how Leinster's 5 international backrowers (and Dominic Ryan) are all upping their game or else they're out of the team. Likewise look at Munster's competition at second row and all across the front row, Toulouse's competition all over the park. You could argue that Sexton and Keatley duelling it out for the Leinster 10 jersey would be beneficial for both Leinster and Ireland.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree with battles but don't think Keatley will gamble that.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

More fuel for the fire:
http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/mdtv/play/media/id/6330

That's a video clip of Joe Schmidt talking about the Connacht game this weekend. He name checks three Connacht players as threats - Carr, Keatley and Hagan. I doubt a journalist in the Herald (the official Leinster paper), the CEO and the head coach would speculate on those players returning/talk openly about those players over the last two days unless there was some substance to it.

Let's see, Carr, Keatley and Hagan all return to Leinster as Ian Madigan, Ian McKinley, Dave Kearney, Jack McGrath and Stewart Maguire move west to hone their game. Sounds good to me!

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Carr would have battle to get in. Hagan would do well as I presume he will be learning for year 1 and then battle properly.
Keatley I think would be good signing for Leinster but not as much him and well if that case I can see Munster signing a big name 10 from overseas

 

[DorceOutSide]

belvedere superior the best team in leinster we know we are !!!

 

[munstermuffin]

Said I'd post comment here but did anyone see/hear Hines interview yesterday in which he took little dig at irfu

 

[King_D'Arcy]

belvedere superior the best team in leinster we know we are !!!

No

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leinster_Schools_Rugby_Senior_Cup#Roll_of_honour

 

[DorceOutSide]

its not my fault they are **** now i left in 2008 when we won the senior cup and i was the captian.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Said I'd post comment here but did anyone see/hear Hines interview yesterday in which he took little dig at irfu

Didn't hear it but he and Leinster are pretty ****** off the the PAG wouldn't sanction a new contract. I can understand the PAGs decision even if I don't like it. Hines is 34 and will be 35 before he gets to play next season. He'll also miss time for the 6 Nations. Leinster wouldn't get value out of re-signing Hines for another year. I hope Steven Sykes takes up the mantle.

Saw this yesterday:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...rthys-decision-to-spurn-leinster-2624460.html

Connacht claim Mike McCarthy turned down Heineken Cup favourites Leinster to remain with the western province.
Last month, English-born McCarthy committed to Connacht until the end of the 2012/13 season while Leinster have since signed former Connacht second-row Damien Browne to fill the void left by the retirement of Trevor Hogan and Nathan Hines' exit to Clermont.
"Mike has been huge for us this season and has shown his commitment to Connacht by choosing to stay here when he could have gone to Leinster," said Connacht forwards coach Dan McFarland. "I know Leinster were very keen to sign him and we are delighted he chose to stay with us.

Leinster have signed two second rows (Steven Sykes and Damien Browne) and were chasing Mike McCarthy too. How badly must the coaches rate Ed O'Donoghue and the short term signing from this year, Mariano Galarza?!

Love the shape of the squad for next year.

 

[munstermuffin]

McCarthy is a player I'd like to see at big team. He is a dogged guy like the Quinlans or Hines and I'd predict he could be a success.

 

[superrprop]

Jack McGrath move west to hone their game. Sounds good to me!

thats bullshit where did you here this nonsense Leinster are keeping him as they need him.

 

[Logorrhea]

thats bullshit where did you here this nonsense Leinster are keeping him as they need him.

Who said that?

Its Maguire heading over to Connacht, not McGrath.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

thats bullshit where did you here this nonsense Leinster are keeping him as they need him.

Yeah they couldn't have made it this far in the Heineken Cup without him

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Leinster academy squad announced:

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/8209.php

In all there are 18 players in the Academy including Jordi Murphy, who captained Ireland Under-20's last month. The Academy programme is set out over three years where all of the players will aim to ultimately earn a professional contract. Amongst the most recent graduates are Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken and Jack McGrath who have all gone on to feature for the Senior side of late.
Other past graduates from the Leinster Academy system include the likes of Ireland internationals Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Rhys Ruddock, Jonathan Sexton and Devin Toner as well as Fionn Carr and Jamie Hagan who re-joined the province this summer.
In addition to each Academy player's third level commitments, they will also complete a supplementary HETAC (Higher Education & Training Awards Council) course covering modules such as Rugby, Fitness, Psychology and Lifestyle.
Academy Manager Colin McEntee oversees the day-to-day running of the Academy.
Leinster Academy List 2011/12…
YEAR 1: Andrew Boyle (wing), Jordan Coghlan (number eight), David Doyle (hooker), Tadhg Furlong (Prop), Conor Gilsenan (back row), Luke McGrath (scrum half), Martin Moore (prop), Colm O'Shea (centre), Michael Sherlock (centre), James Tracy (prop)

YEAR 2: Sam Coghlan-Murray (wing), Darren Hudson (wing), Ben Marshall (back row), Jordi Murphy (back row), Jack O'Connell (prop), Noel Reid (out half)
YEAR 3: Ciaran Ruddock (second row), Eamonn Sheridan (centre)

Out from last year go Stewart Maguire (Connacht), Tom Sexton (unknown), Mark Flanagan (unknown), Dominic Ryan, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Ian McKinley (all Leinster) and Michael Keating (Doncaster).

Of the first year players, Luke McGrath, Tadhg Furlong and Jordan Coghlan are the three I'd have highest hopes for.

 

[big ginger 8]

What about Gilsenan? There's a lot of hype about him as well.

 

[coonor]

I have hopes for Furlong especially with the crisis Ireland has had with props. I was very impressed with him in most Jnr WC games and he has a great dogged attitude and stood up really well to the sizable opposition packs especially in the scrum.

 

[Peat]

Personally thought Martin Moore stood out in the U20 6N, he's been unlucky with injuries but looks a genuine prospect. Can one of Moore/Furlong play loosehead?

Also, what do you people make of Cooney? Because honestly, based on my limited viewing of him, I'd never have had him down as a pro contract recipient in a million years...

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

What about Gilsenan? There's a lot of hype about him as well.

He hasn't stood out whenever I saw him play but he's highly rated.

Personally thought Martin Moore stood out in the U20 6N, he's been unlucky with injuries but looks a genuine prospect. Can one of Moore/Furlong play loosehead?

Also, what do you people make of Cooney? Because honestly, based on my limited viewing of him, I'd never have had him down as a pro contract recipient in a million years...

Moore is a decent prop with a good work rate and anchored a desperate Irish scrum pretty well. I was more impressed with Furlong in the World Cup though. Both have a future- I feel Moore will peak at Leinster level whereas Furlong can go on and be a full international. Furlong can play loosehead too.

Cooney was poor last year for Ireland u20s in my opinion but looked a lot better for Leinster A last season on the few occasions I saw him. There was very little between him and Paul O'Donohoe so I assume Cooney was kept on because he's a cheaper option. It wouldn't surprise me too much if Luke McGrath pushes ahead of him before the end of the season- McGrath is a top talent who could be starting for Leinster within two seasons.

 

[big ginger 8]

McGrath is a top talent who could be starting for Leinster within two seasons.

Completly agree with that.

 

[Peat]

Moore is a decent prop with a good work rate and anchored a desperate Irish scrum pretty well. I was more impressed with Furlong in the World Cup though. Both have a future- I feel Moore will peak at Leinster level whereas Furlong can go on and be a full international. Furlong can play loosehead too.

If Moore only ever hits Leinster level (which I'm not sure I agree with, but time shall tell), then given the paucity of good young Irish tightheads, he's going to get international caps. I also think Furlong's being talked up a bit, he was very impressive given his age but not imo as good as some are saying. He too will probably get international caps mind.

Cooney was poor last year for Ireland u20s in my opinion but looked a lot better for Leinster A last season on the few occasions I saw him. There was very little between him and Paul O'Donohoe so I assume Cooney was kept on because he's a cheaper option. It wouldn't surprise me too much if Luke McGrath pushes ahead of him before the end of the season- McGrath is a top talent who could be starting for Leinster within two seasons.

Fairy muff, obviously I only ever saw the U20 games. As for McGrath, I am certainly looking forwards to him and Jackson pairing up for the U20s next season. Saw him on TV once for the U18s, definitley something about him.